"Miss Dahl's Voluptuous Delights"


When I discovered Sophie Dahl, plus-size model and granddaughter of classic children's author, Roald Dahl, had released a cookbook, it was a must-read...

I readily admit, I'm a lazy, neglectful cook. I've famously declared I don't cook anything with more than four ingredients (if only I'd turned my philosophy into a cookbook before others jumped on the bandwagon!), have ruined a packet cake and still can't poach an egg unless you prefer them rock-hard.

I have, however, improved at this cooking lark enough to covet pretty cookbooks like Miss Dahl's. Being Scrooge McCook, I borrowed it from the library, but having sampled some recipes, I've decided shelling out actual $ for it is a sound investment.

My girl crush on Miss Dahl has intensified. Not only did she pioneer a resurgence in plus-size modelling, proving non-stick figures can be confident and beautiful, she's a cracking cook. And, unlike Gwyneth Paltrow, I can believe Miss Dahl adores eating food and knows her way around a kitchen without all the hired chefs and macrobiotic bullsh*t.


Miss Dahl's cookbook is divided into seasons, making it easy to jump to winter warmers, summery salads or other weather-appropriate picks. One of my biggest gripes about overseas-created cookbooks is the confusing international names for ingredients (courgettes/zucchinis and eggplants/aubergines, for example), as well as impossible-to-source ingredients not grown locally and different units of measurement. These potential problems are side-stepped with ease in Voluptuous Delights and the recipes are simple, yet elegant and impressive. Sophie provides cute snippets of information from her childhood and cooking exploits to add just enough colour.

So what did I cook? I gave the caramelised red onion omelette and breakfast burritos a go and they turned out beautifully, took ten minutes each, produced few dishes (oh, I sound like a boring housewife!) and pleased Mr Big no end. I'd definitely whip them up again. Winner!

Rating: 9/10.

What's your favourite cookbook? Have you tried any of the celebrity offerings?

15 comments:

  1. Oh.. sounds like a well worth investment. Now that I have almost embraced that I do need to have someone in the kitchen with me (so I don't forget things like turning off the stove or that I've actually put something in the oven etc. ; the brain's attention span after accident can be very limited at times) I'm on the look out for simple easy to make recipes .. and this sounds great! thanks for sharing it!! xo HHL

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  2. No worries, High Heeled!

    And don't feel bad about forgetting to turn the stove and oven off -- I am terrible with that too. Adam has caught me a few times with them on way after we've finished dinner. Oops, not good!

    xx
    Becks

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  3. I did not know Sophie Dahl came out with a cookbook? I agree, she is gorgeous, and probably knows how to enjoy a good meal! I am your newest follower from Thankful for Friends Thursday blog hop, and love your delightful blog! Oh...and I do cook, all the time (I better, I have a cooking blog!). The secret to poaching an egg is almost boiling water, swirling it with a whisk, adding vinegar to the water, drop in the egg and make sure it stays contained in the swirl, then cook for five minutes, no less-no more. Trust me!

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  4. Hi - found you on the Thoughtfull Thursday Blog Hop. This book sounds great - though I cook rarely tbh - other than fish and veg or steak and veg - you get the idea? ;D Shes so much more adorable as a plus size than as a skinny model. She looked like a fly or something - all you could see were huge eyes on a lolli-pop stick. Now she's utterly beautiful as nature intended.

    Shah .X

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  5. i did hear about this cookbook, and was interested. have not tried any celebrity cookbooks becuaw, well, they are celebs...not cooks.

    found and following via cup of joe.
    rockoomph.blogspot.com

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  6. What a cool sounding cookbook! I might need to find this!

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  7. Stopping by from Thankful for Friends Thursday. Nice to meet you and I will check this cookbook out. Feel free to stop by my blogs. Thanks Kim

    http://cravingsofalunatic.blogspot.com/
    http://losingitlikealunatic.blogspot.com/

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  8. I need to invest in that cookbook! I'm visiting from the blog hop and I'm your newest follower. I'd love it if you followed me back at http://organicplanet.blogspot.com/

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  9. I might just have to try this. I cook about as good as you. My husband says that I make a mean slice of toast and a fabulous bowl of cereal!

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  10. You asked about a favourite cookbook? Dangerous... I have a cookbookfetish. We move in September, and I just put away 30 kilos of cooking magazines, knowing I won't move them, but not wanting to throw them away. That's the magazines. Cookbooks... I love the ones of our local celebrity chef, Jeroen Meus, really down-to-earth, traditional dishes. And reading the big classic of Delia Smith. Jamie Oliver, Nigella Lawson and a few others are better "live" than on paper, in my opinion.

    I love cooking, and you just added one more book to discover on my list. *grin*

    Hopping by from Thirsty Thursday blog hop.

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  11. Thanks for the tips, Jules. I think not boiling the water was where I went wrong last time I poached eggs. I was trying to surprise Mr Big for breakfast. He still enjoyed them though.

    I agree, Shah -- Sophie Dahl did look quite bug-eyed when she was thinner. Hooray for her natural curvy self!

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  12. Haha, Jessica, you are indeed a Becks-style cook. Speaking of, I made a ripper bowl of cereal this morning. All by myself. Impressed? ; )

    Glad I could help "feed" your obsession, Meyser. You may need to look into a support group. Cookaholics Anonymous?

    I'm now following y'all back.


    Oh, and Queen of Green: mmmm... beaver anal glands. I am never eating icecream again. Cured!

    xx
    Becks

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  13. ohhhhhh!!!!!! I want this:) do yo know if it´s gettable through the net,I live in norway, and it´s soooo not here yet... loving your blog by the way, and now a new follower:) cheers

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  14. Hey Renate -- Sophie Dahl's book is available at Amazon.com. I'm hoping Amazon ships to Norway? We're able to receive stuff from them in Australia. : ) I love the concept of your blog too. Good on you for facing fears and trying new things. I'm always striving to do that as well.

    Reasonably Le$$ -- hmmm, blog hop you say? I'm so there! ; )

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  15. That cookbook sounds good. Hadn't heard of Sophie Dahl before!! The only celebrity cookbook I have is one by Jaime Oliver - does he count as he's a celebrity cook?? not just a celebrity!

    http://beourbest.blogspot.com/

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